Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

From left, Kristina Belcourt, Bridgett Relphorde, who made her own cigarette holder from rolled cardboard that she blinged, and Michelle Richardson. — Nadine Kam photos

Feathers, fringe, flappers and lace were in abundance and "Giggle juice" flowed at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort April 12, when the Junior League of Honolulu went back to its Jazz Era roots—founded in 1923—to mark its 90th anniversary with a luncheon/fashion show featuring garments from Tori Richard's Spring 2014 women's collection.

In addition to the fun, glitz and glamour of the 1920s "Great Gatsby"-themed celebration, there was also some serious work going on as the organization pledged to give $90,000 to Oahu nonprofits over the next three years through its 90th Anniversary Community Fund. $45,000 will be awarded this year. The balance of the fund will be distributed over the next two years. Members also recognized past recipients of its annual Laura N. Dowsett Award, and honored JLH's 2014 recipient Cheryl Hetherington.

The award is named after Laura Nott Dowsett, a founding member of JLH and its president from 1933 to 1934. Hetherington, a civic leader and longtime Junior League member, received the award that was created in 1982, to recognize a sustaining member who personifies the spirit of voluntarism, the value of specialized training, the effectiveness of advocacy and the qualities of leadership developed in the JLH.

Hetherington served as JLH president from 2002 to 2003 and has raised money for a number of nonprofits including Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of O‘ahu (25th Anniversary), Honolulu Academy of Art (Kama‘aina Christmas), The Contemporary Museum (ConTempo) and JLH. Before dedicating her skills to community service, Hetherington practiced law as a solo practitioner from 1979 to 1994, taking on many pro bono cases in Family Court. A member of the Hawaii Bar Association, she served for five years with the Hearings Committee of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the State of Hawaii.

In recognition of the group's annual "Sacs in the City" fundraiser, more than 10 high-end handbags were auctioned to help support JLH's community programs.

The event was also highlighted by an informal fashion show featuring the Tori Richard Spring 2014 women's collection.

A photographic display dating from the 1920s to the present, played tribute to the Junior League founders and early members. Today, we tend to have a costumey view of 1920s fashion, but this is more typical summer dress.

Janice Choate-Zavakos looks her 1920s best in white and lace down to her stockings.

I did white lace as well, snapping a selfie outside my house, with Lynn Murray Sien's "Naked Pearl" rope necklace and Whiting & Davis mesh purse. I have at least three 1920s Mandalian mesh-and-enamel purses that I used to use, but today, they're too small to fit such 21st century necessities as phone and car keys. (more…)

Tori Richard celebrated the grand opening of its new Ala Moana store with an April 2 celebration featuring pupu by MW Restaurant's chef Wade Ueoka, and entertainment by Taimane.

The event was also a benefit for the Honolulu Museum of Art outreach programs, with a portion of opening day sales going toward after-school residencies for public school children, and the "Warriors Eyes on Art" program for transitioning soldiers.

The kamaaina company is already well known for its menswear, but is approaching its sixth decade with a refresh of its boutiques to coincide with an increased focus on its rapidly growing women's line.

Key to the new approach was the arrival of designer Jessica Zaro, who worked with Lilly Pulitzer and Shoshanna before joining Tori Richard in 2011 as creative design director for the Tori Richard woman. Her "beach to bar" philosophy encompasses a strong dose of color and print, along with knowledge of how contemporary women want to dress.

"They want clothing that's versatile, that can be worn during the day, then dressed up with heels, a clutch and perfect jewelry at night,"Zaro said. "I like to keep it simple but fashion-forward."

She said she was excited by the opportunity to work for Tori Richard, whose resort aesthetic appealed to her own vision of the glamorous life.

"Living in New York City, I lived for my summers,"Zaro said. "I loved to wear color and a flowy dress that felt so easy and chic at the same time. Everybody strives to have that lifestyle."

There are 8 million visitors who visit the islands annually who seem to suggest so, and I have a feeling the company will be dancing circles around young national upstarts by the time it's 60th birthday arrives in two years.

Among those shopping at the grand opening of the new Tori Richard boutique at Ala Moana Center were, from left, Dave Erdman, Conchita Malaqui, Scott Wheldon and Tao Miller. — Nadine Kam photos

Joanne Marques, left, helps Jon and Dora Valdriz at the Tori Richard shirt bar, that allows men to pull together complete ensembles.

Student art filled display spaces and windows, as little ones showed their printing skills and had their names affixed as brand labels.

A crowd gathered at the red carpet entrance to the newest H&M store at Waikiki Business Plaza. The line extended along the left side of the building. — H&M courtesy photo

Eight-hundred invited guests crowded the entrance of H & M, Hennes & Mauritz AB, March 26, marking the grand opening of the international retail giant at the Waikiki Business Plaza, the first H&M store in Hawaii.

The event included food from chef Chai Chaowasaree, a concert by indie band Best Coast, and of course, it marked the first time attendees could shop the racks, full of spring trend items for men and women, including grand opening specials on accessories as low as $1, and apparel as low as $5.

The two floors could barely contain the crowd, and it took a lot of weaving and dodging to move through a crowd that has waited years to be able to shop the brand's reasonably priced contemporary apparel. It was such a frenzy that afterward, several people said they were so tired and relieved to get out the door.

H&M also unveiled an installation featuring artwork by local surf photographers Mike Coots, Sarah Lee and Zak Noyle, whose photos are being featured on a trio of limited-edition H&M T-shirts. All proceeds from sales of the shirts will benefit AccesSurf, a non-profit organization that provides surfing instruction and therapeutic educational programs on water recreation for people with disabilities.

H&M was established in Sweden in 1947. Today there are 310 stores in the United States and more than 3,100 H&M stores in 53 markets worldwide.
—————H&M is in the Waikiki Business Plaza, 2270 Kalakaua Ave.

Of course there were models among the guests, from left, Pono Fernandez, Nalani Ravelo and model-turned-photographer Daniela Voicescu.

H&M North America president Daniel Kulle, left, with local surf photographers Sarah Lee, Zak Noyle and Mike Coots, whose photos are being featured on limited-edition T-shirts, below, sales of which will benefit AccesSurf. — H&M photos

Momoko Metzker in a David & Goliath T-shirt with shorts and clutch from Vivienne Westwood. — Nadine Kam photos

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa hosted a fashion show featuring spring and summer looks from Collections of Waikiki to celebrate the start of the Spring 2014 fashion season, as well as the hotel's 113th birthday.

The casual event took place in the open air of the Banyan Courtyard. The Collections of Waikiki comprise more than 60 fashion boutiques within the Moana, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and the Sheraton Waikiki. Spread out as they are, I didn't realize there are so many! Just goes to show there's a lot of shopping opps beyond the increasing number of Kalakaua monoliths.a

Smaller showcases took place on Kalakaua Avenue fronting the hotel, attracting the attention of passersby who were rewarded with prize balloons that could be redeemed for free gifts from the participating boutiques.

Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Kamuela Kahoano also performed for a portion of the fashion show.

From left, designs from Tori Richard, David & Goliath and Vivienne Westwood, on Roycen Dehmer a Reyn Spooner shirt and Tori Richard shorts, and on Morgan Clark a top and bikini from San Lorenzo and shorts from Rebecca Beach.

San Lorenzo bikini.

A round of evening looks: On Momoko, a Volcom one-piece with Vivienne Westwood trousers, Pashma dress, on Roycen Vivienne Westwood, and on Morgan Clark a maxi dress from Rebecca Beach.

To coincide with my print story today on Spring Trends 2014, here's a look at styles on the runway at Neiman Marcus, shown during a preview fashion show last month, also featuring themed cocktails by Chandra Lucariello, director of mixology for Southern Wine & Spirits, and crepes from Aloha Crepes: